Improvement in raising carriage-tops



J. L. ALLEN.

Carriage-Top.

Patenteg Jan. 14, 1851.

N. PETERS. PHDTO-UTHOGRAFHEH, WASHINGTON; 0.0

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. ALLEN, OF NEWV HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN RAISING CARRIAGE-TOPS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN L. ALLEN, of the city, town, and county of NewHaven, in the State of Connecticut, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Elevating and sup porting Carriage-Tops; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe construction and operation of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, in which the figure represents one side of theinterior of an ordinary carriage-top.

The position of the brace on the outside of the top is shown by thedotted lines a b c, the lower end of the brace at 0 being fastened tothe rod or prop c. This rod in the drawing passes through a socket at d,which keeps the rod or prop securely in its place. A spiral spring orwire is coiled around the rod, fastened at one end to the back of theseat at h, and at the other to the rod or prop at z. The length of thisspring or wire is regulated by the strength which may be required tooperate upon the brace in raising the top.

The operation is as follows: In throwing back the top (the lower part ofthe brace being fastened to the prop or rod 6) the prop or rodturns,winding the Wire or spring upon the rod, the spring growinggradually stronger as the top falls. \Vhen the top is to be raised, thestrength of this wire or spring operates upon the rod or prop, turningit and raising the top as it turns. By means of this spring, which isproportioned in strength to the weight of the top, the heaviestcarriage-top may be raised without trouble and with but little exertionof strength.

The spring may be made to operate by winding up or by unwinding. It maybe applied on the outside as well as on the inside of the top. It may beapplied at either end of the brace or at either prop.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The application of aspiral spring to operate upon the braces ofacarriage-top, so as to assist in supporting and elevating the top,substantially as described and shown.

JOHN L. ALLEN.

In presence of- DAVID H. CARR, LUoIUs G. PEcK.

